Justice News

COVINGTON, KY - The former superintendent for the Dayton Independent School District has admitted in federal court to embezzling school funds during his tenure.

William Rye, 65, of Wilder, KY., pleaded guilty today to one count of embezzlement. Rye waived his right to be indicted by a federal grand jury and pleaded guilty to the embezzlement charge brought by U.S. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey.

In the course of his guilty plea, Rye admitted that, between 2004 and 2012, he embezzled approximately $193,149.22 from the Dayton Independent School District, while serving as school superintendent.

This case is eligible for federal prosecution because the Dayton School District annually receives in excess of $10,000 in federal funds.

Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Perrye Turner, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, jointly made the announcement today.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura K. Voorhees represents the US. Attorney’s Office in this case.

Rye is currently scheduled to appear for sentencing in Covington on April 22 at 11:00 am. Rye faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. However, any sentence would be imposed by the Court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statutes governing the imposition of sentences.